Justice that works for everyone
Today, this website reflects the broader work I’ve been privileged to do. As Chief Justice, I’ve helped lead reforms to make Ghana’s courts more efficient, transparent, and people-focused. From digitising case tracking to expanding Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the goal has always been simple: justice that works for everyone, and not just the privileged few.
You’ll also find stories from people who interact with the justice system every day, and practical resources to help you understand how it all works.
Meet Ghana’s Chief Justice
The Honourable Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, became the 15th Chief Justice of Ghana on 12th June, 2023.
With a judicial career spanning more than 20 years, Chief Justice Sackey Torkornoo was among the pioneering justices of the Commercial Division of the High Court. She has served as a faculty and board member of the Judicial Training Institute and held several leadership positions in the judiciary.
She was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2012, and to the Supreme Court in 2019.
Career timeline
Chief Justice Sackey Torkornoo attended Wesley Girls’ High School, where she earned her Ordinary Level Certificate, and Achimota School, where she obtained her Advanced Level Certificate. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Sociology, from the University of Ghana and graduated from the Ghana School of Law in 1986. In 2001, she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law and Organizations (ILOD) from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS), now Erasmus University in the Netherlands. She also has an LLM in Intellectual Property Law from Golden Gate University in the United States.
Chief Justice Sackey Torkornoo began her legal career as a pupil at Fugar & Co, a premier law firm in Accra. After her pupillage, she became an Associate, and later, a Director of the firm. In January 1997, she co-founded Sozo Law Consult, where she served as Managing Partner until May 14th, 2004, when she was appointed a Justice of the High Court of Ghana.
Outside her career
Chief Justice Sackey Torkornoo is a passionate minister in the body of Christ. She plays a keen role in Aglow International and has served as a board member in Theovision International, a ministry that has translated the Bible into African languages for more than 25 years. For many years, she has had the privilege of serving as a faculty member of Haggai Institute– a world class leadership institute based in Hawaii and Thailand, which helps in the development of leadership skills for godly marketplace leaders.
Chief Justice Sackey Torkornoo is the founder of Wishing Well Institute for Leadership Development. She is an enthusiastic poet and playwright. Her published books of poetry are The Child and the Rainbow (2012) and The Wise Still Hear the Birds (2012). She is also the author of ‘Doing Business in Ghana’ and ‘Legislative Watch’.
